Thai protest fears as police chief sacked

THE Thai prime minister sacked his national police chief today, fuelling speculation the government was preparing to clamp down on protesters besieging Bangkok's airports.

General Patcharawat Wongsuwan had resisted previous orders to take control of street protesters embroiled in a "final battle" to unseat the government.

Dozens of riot police with truncheons and shields gathered at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, but took no action against the People's Alliance for Democracy protesters.

In a televised address, prime minister Somchai Wongsawat said the government would use "gentle measures" against the protesters a day after he declared a state of emergency to end the crippling airport sieges.

The sieges at Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports are costing the tourism-dependent Thai economy millions of dollars.

The chief police negotiator told reporters they were asking the protesters to end the siege. But PAD leaders denied talks would even take place.